Implantable ocular pump to reduce intraocular pressure

Abstract

A trabecular pump is implantable in the eye to reduce intraocular pressure. The pump drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into outflow pathways, such as Schlemm's canal. A feedback system includes an intraocular pump and a pressure sensor in communication with the pump, for regulating intraocular pressure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for transporting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of an eye, the apparatus comprising: 
 an inlet that receives aqueous humor from the anterior chamber;    an outlet that outputs aqueous humor to a location outside the anterior chamber;    a pump that pumps aqueous humor from the inlet to the outlet, the pump comprising a pair of substantially one-way valves that are spaced to provide a fluid chamber therebetween.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of said fluid chamber changes in response to a variation in intraocular pressure, to drive the pump.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the location outside the anterior chamber is Schlemm's canal.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source coupled to the pump.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said power source is mechanical.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is driven at least partially by changes in intraocular pressure that result from at least one of blinking and arterial pulse.  
     
     
         7 . A method of pumping aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of an eye to a location outside the anterior chamber, said method comprising: 
 providing a fluid chamber having an inlet that receives aqueous humor from the anterior chamber;    changing the volume of the fluid chamber such that the aqueous humor is pumped from the inlet end to an outlet located outside the anterior chamber.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for transporting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of an eye, comprising: 
 an inlet that receives aqueous humor from the anterior chamber;    an outlet that outputs aqueous humor to a location outside anterior chamber;    a pump that pumps aqueous humor from the inlet to the outlet;    a sensor that senses intraocular pressure and provides a signal indicative of the sensed intraocular pressure, said pump responsive to said signals to regulate flow through the pump.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is electrically coupled to said pump.  
     
     
         10 . A method of regulating intraocular pressure, the method comprising: 
 implanting a micropump in the eye such that said pump pumps fluid from the anterior chamber to a location outside the anterior chamber;    sensing intraocular pressure;    using the sensed intraocular pressure to adjust a flow of the fluid through the pump.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing is performed by a sensor in communication with the micropump.